Be part of the generation for change

• The Indigenous unemployment rate is around three times higher than that of non-Indigenous people.
• Eight out of ten jobless Indigenous people are unable to work, because of illiteracy, alcohol or other psychological problems.
• In some rural areas, up to 70% of Indigenous students regularly do not attend school.
• Indigenous students are HALF as likely to stay at school until the end of year 12 as other students.
• 29% of Indigenous young people age 15-24 are NOT "earning or learning" compared with 9% of non-Indigenous young people.
• 48% of Indigenous adults receive government welfare as their main source of income, compared to 17% of non-Indigenous people.

These facts are just part of the Indigenous disparity seen in Australia that a new program called GenerationOne is working to end.

Focussing on providing opportunity through practical action, GenerationOne forms part of a plan to provide 50,000 jobs for Indigenous Australians.

Support for the GenerationOne movement is open for all Australians to participate in. It is non-partisan and will listen to any and all contributions that can help break the poverty traps.

Former Young Australian of the Year 2007 and GenerationOne spokeswoman, Tania Major, said the campaign would let Australians work towards a future where Indigenous disparity was eliminated in this generation.

"As I get around this country I find Australians really are unified around a desire to ensure that this is the last generation to suffer Indigenous disparity," Ms Major said.

"GenerationOne will be the place where they can release their passion through action in education and economic participation so Indigenous children can have a better future."

Joint GenerationOne spokesman and current NSW Young Australian of the Year, Jack Manning Bancroft, said the GenerationOne campaign was desperately needed as Indigenous people continued to be severely disadvantaged on virtually every measure despite decades of government attempts to fix the problem.

"GenerationOne is different from previous attempts to fix this problem because it isn't just calling on governments to act, its calling on business, government and all Australians to act," Mr Manning Bancroft said.

"I think the GenerationOne campaign has huge potential for this nation because to make a real difference, we need to all do this together."

How you can help

A key part of the campaign is its website, which includes information on how people can participate, contact Indigenous organisations, ask their MPs to get involved, visit events, post blog entries and more.

The campaign is not about raising money, but raising awareness and taking action.

Westfield is proud to be a part of the movement to end Indigenous disparity and you can too by visiting the GenerationOne website to pledge your support: www.generationone.org.au